Traditions

Academy Awards

Admiral Giles C. Stedman Trophy

The Admiral Stedman Trophy is presented to a graduating first class male athlete for demonstrated athletic excellence throughout their career at USMMA as selected by a committee appointed by the Superintendent. The trophy signifies the highest in achievement, sportsmanship and general excellence in athletics.

1944 - Joseph C. Clarke

2013 Stedman Trophy Winner: Kurt Olsen

1945 - Thomas J. Foley

1946 - Louis J. Viai, Jr.

1947 - Mark McKie

1948 - Frank E. Allen

1949 - James F. Dooley

1950 - Jerome Fitzpatrick

1951 - John T. Biezup

1952 - John J. Nolan

1953 - Robert Wiechard

1954 - Harry B. Smith

1955 - John J. Gelke

1956 - Rudy A. Enders

1957 - Edward H. Russell

1958 - George Munnich

1959 - Robert T. Madden

1960 - Henriks Zeile

1961 - Robert E. Rogaski

1962 - J. Hunter Allen

1963 - John Silva

1964 - Stephen Schmidt

1965 - Lloyd L. Smith

1966 - Robert K. Post

1967 - Leslie K. Kempf

1968 - Richard E. Barry

1969 - Edward Hoffman

1970 - Harvey B. Adams

1971 - Donald M. Adams

1972 - Rochard H. Gabey

1973 - Kurt Van Yost

1974 - John Nunnenkamp

1975 - Dabiel Rogers

1976 - Curt A. Landgrebe

1977 - Paul G. Brown

1978 - Kevin L. Ennis

1979 - Alex Smigelski

1980 - Richard W. Testa

1981 - Thomas Molnar

1982 - Kevin Popelka

1983 - Michael E. Logan

1984 - Lawrence Hadley

1985 - Robert McNamee

1986 - Michael Woodrick

1987 - Paul Coan

1988 - Tom Tiefenthaller

1989 - William Nixon

1990 - Kevin D'Arcy

1991 - Harold Krebs

1992 - Raymond Collett

1993 - Wes Stearns

1994 - Dreu Beers

1995 - Kevin Feighery

1996 - Brian Coyne

1997 - Michael Wyant

1998 - William Hardesty

1999 - Sean Bradley

2000 - Wayne Allen

2001 - Johnny Garrett

2002 - Jay DeBruhl

2003 - Seamus Hunt

2004 - Joel Meyer

2005 - Joe Meagher

2006 - Andrew Dunlevy

2007 - Frank Dore

2008 - Jay Carpenter

2009 - Davey May

2010 - Ryan Samuel
2011 - Nicholas Halbach
2012 - Michael Mitchell

2013 - Kurt Olsen

2014 - Warren Hartmann - Baseball

2015 - Kevin Lindgren - Swimming & Diving

2016 - Matt McDaniels - Football

2017 - Patrick Keyes - Football

2018 - Brice Moore - Football

Julie A. Berke Trophy

The Julie A. Berke Trophy is presented to a graduating first class female athlete for demonstrated athletic excellence throughout their career at USMMA as selected by a committee appointed by the Superintendent. This award signifies the highest in achievement, sportsmanship and general excellence in athletics.

1985 - Leslie Custer

2013 Berke Trophy Winner: Jessica Tyack

1987 - Beth Wilson

1989 - Rhonda Hart

1990 - Susan Mortgu

1991 - Karla Hirdning

1992 - Michelle Determan

1993 - Anna Maly

1994 - Michelle Wysocki

1995 - Amie Heath

1996 - Michelle May

1997 - Lauren Barnekov

1998 - Aimee Graham

1999 - Jennifer Bechtel

2000 - Brenda Matheson

2001- Andrea Peer

2002 - Kelly Glanding

2003 - Jena Jeffries

2004 - Rebecca Segert

2005 - Liz Hagner

2006 - Janine Wachter

2007 - Andrea Carey

2008 - Allison Davis

2009 - Kristen Hetsko

2010 - Jesselyn LaValley
2011 - Rebecca Grimes
2012 - Lauren Rattan

2013 - Jessica Tyack

2014 - Emily Olsen

2015 - Jacqueline White - Swimming & Diving

2016 - Liz Rose - Swimming & Diving

2017 - Blythe Fentress - Swimming & Diving

2018 - Dominique Pope - Volleyball

Julie A. Berke Rookie of the Year Award

Established in 2002-03 by Julie A. Berke, this award is presented annually to a male and female athlete as selected by a committee appointed by the Superintendent. These two athletes have exhibited the most exceptional performance during their rookie year with their respective teams.

The Coach "O" Award is presented annually to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Coach of the Year as chosen by the Athletic Board. In 2000, this award was renamed in recognition of Coach Omeltchenko, who dedicated 43 years to the Academy's Cross Country and Track & Field Programs. A 1992 Inductee into the USMMA Athletic Hall of Fame, Coach Omeltchenko and the future winners of this award signify the utmost dedication, sportsmanship, enthusiasm, love, integrity, and perseverance in their chosen profession of coaching. Beginning in 2015, the award will be presented to a coach of a men's team, as the newly created Sue Petersen Lubow Award will be presented to the Coach of the Year of a women's team.

The Sue Petersen Lubow Award is presented annually to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Coach of the Year of a women's team as chosen by the head coaches. In 2015, this award was renamed in recognition of Sue Petersen Lubow, who dedicated 35 years to the Academy's Athletic Programs as Swim Coach and Director of Athletics. A 2014 Inductee into the USMMA Athletic Hall of Fame, Sue Petersen Lubow and the future winners of this award signify the utmost dedication, sportsmanship, enthusiasm, love, integrity, and perseverance in their chosen profession of coaching.

2015 - Iain Bradbury, Volleyball

2016 - Kyle Simensky, Lacrosse

2017 - Sean Tedesco, Swimming & Diving

2018 - Kyle Simensky, Lacrosse

The Thomas LeBlanc/Julie A. Berke Achievement Award

The Thomas LeBlanc Award (Class of 1986) is presented to the outstanding male scholar-athlete in the senior class. Established in 1987 as the Captain Leo V. Berger Award, it was revised in 2003 as the LeBlanc Award. The Julie A Berke Achievement Award is presented to the outstanding female scholar-athlete in the senior class.

Thomas LeBlanc Award
1987 - Jonathan McGillis

2013 Thomas LeBlanc Award Winner: Chris Scott

1988 - Victor Campos

1989 - Nicholas Petrucci

1990 - Andrew Leone

1991 - Robert Kocis

1992 - James Homan

1993 - Ryan Vanderberg

1994 - William Carty

1995 - Scott Volkert

1996 - Mike Mazurek

1997 - Doug Ribble

1998 - Matt Bligh

1999 - James Phyfe

2000 - Jeremy Riddle

2001 - Dave Thompson

2002 - Robert Atkins

2003 - Patrick O'Brien

2004 - Hugh Grandstaff

2005 - Jonathan Shiflett

2006 - Peter Radzicki

2007 - Tony Buleza and Ben Christian

2008 - Chris Nitta

2009 - Patrick Showell

2010 - Kyle O'Connor

2011 - Warren Tucker

2012 - Hunter Karass

2013 - Chris Scott

2014 - Danny Collins (Baseball)

2015 - Troy Smith (Men's Lacrosse)

2016 - Josh Levitas (Tennis)

2017 - Patrick Rooney (Wrestling)

2018 - Austin MacElrevey (Cross Country/Track & Field)

Julie A. Berke Achievement Award

1995 - Amie Heath

2013 Julie A. Berke Achievement Award Winner: Casey Roth

1996 - Tiffany Aley

1997 - Jenny Darnell

1998 - Mrs. Thomas Matteson

1999 - Carolyn Crawford

2000 - Jennifer Lundy

2001 - Angelina Fuschetto

2002 - Alison Gaudiano

2003 - Michelle Stark

2004 - Rebecca Segert

2005 - Samantha Skeens

2006 - Greer A. Ferguson

2007 - Jessica Familette

2008 - Callie Beeler

2009 - Laura Ladd

2010 - Sara Mock

2011 - Christina Fernandez-O'Toole

2012 - Laurelle Kopras

2013 - Casey Roth

2014 - Alexandra Winfree (Women's Lacrosse)

2015 - Alysia Johnson (Dinghy Sailing)

2016 - Rachel Smith (Women's Lacrosse)

2017 - Stacee Glass (Men's Rowing)

2018 - Sarah Milafsky (Women's Lacrosse)

Captain James Liebertz Memorial Award

This award is presented in memory of Captain James Liebertz, who served as the Academy's Athletic Director from 1950-72. The Award is presented by the Athletic Director and is given to someone who exemplifies the same traits of dedication, perseverance, enthusiasm and love for USMMA Athletics as Captain James Liebertz.

1991 - Russ McVay '64

2013 Captain James Liebertz Memorial Award: CAPT Bill Fell

1992 - Bob Lavinia '70

1993 - Capt. Perry Walter

1994 - John Mandel

1995 - Bob Igoe '47

1996 - Peter Rackett '61

1997 - Dept. of Maintenance & Repair

1998 - RADM Thomas Matteson

1999 - Charles Lang

2000 - Virgil Allen

2001 - George Hall

2002 - Maureen Taggert

2003 - Kim McNulty

2004 - VADM Joseph D. Stewart

2005 - Gene McCormick & Ken DeGhetto

2006 - Mr. Charles Hill

2007 - Ms. Julie A. Berke

2008 - Craig Shouldice

2009 - CDR Donald Wilburn

2010 - Dr. Shashi Kumar

2011 - Jim Tobin '77

2012 - Shawn Antonelli
2013 - CAPT Bill Fell

2014 - Sue Petersen Lubow

2015 - Peter Rackett '61

2016 - Kyle Simensky

2017 - Mike Toop '77

2018 - RADM James Helis

George Edward "Skip" Prosser '72 Achievement Award

Established in 2007, the George Edward “Skip” Prosser ’72 Achievement Award is presented annually to a USMMA alum who epitomizes the true spirit and qualities of “Skip” Prosser’72. Skip’s qualities included honesty, integrity, dedication and determination to serve others. He was an educator, motivator andleader. He made a difference in many student-athletes’ lives. The recipient of the “Skip” Prosser award shall be a former student-athlete from Kings Point who has successfully fulfilled their obligation and excelled in their chosen career path in a manner that embraces the traits of Skip Prosser - that of a man who believed in “Service Before Self” and exemplified our Academy’smotto of “Acta Non Verba.”

The Academic Dean's Award is presented the varsity team with the highest combined grade point average among its members. In 2008, the Academic Dean’s Award was split into two separate awards. One award will be given to a small athletic team, and the other award will be presented to a large athletic team. A most improved award is also presented to the team that showed the largest improvement in team grade point average from one academic year to the next.

1993 - Tennis

1994 - Tennis

1995 - Wrestling

1996 - Tennis

1997 - Pistol

1998 - M. Volleyball

1999 - Tennis

2000 - M. Volleyball

2001 - Cross Country

2002 - Golf

2003 - Golf

2004 - Golf

2005 - Golf

2006 - Pistol

2007 - Cross Country

2008 - Small - Women's Cross Country / Large - Baseball and Men's Track and Field

An award will also be given out to the team with the most improved cumulative grade point average among its members over the past academic year.

2008 - Women's Basketball

2009 - Tennis

2010 - Women's Swimming & Diving
2013 - Men's Track & Field

2014 - Men's Cross Country

2015 - Women's Cross Country

2016 - Women's Cross Country

2017 - Men's Basketball

2018 - Women's Track & Field

Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Merit Award

The ECAC Merit Award presented by the USMMA Employee's Association in memory of deceased member, Robert Brazeil to the outstanding male and female senior scholar-athletes. This award is presented to the midshipmen who have demonstrated excellence in the athletic arena, while maintaining high academic standards.

The USMMA Scholar-Athlete Award is presented annually to a male and female scholar-athlete from each member institution. The minimum requirements for the award are a 3.2 cumulative GPA and the athlete must have played a significant role on his or her team. This award is presented to the midshipmen who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom while contributing to their chosen sport team. (Note: This award was given out as the ECAC Robbins Scholar Athlete-Award up until 2015.)

Established in 1999 by Julie A. Berke in memory of her husband, Herman Berke '45, this award is presented annually to the Midshipman who made significant contributions to both the athletics and regimental programs during their first class year at USMMA.

Inaugurated in 1984 as the Mariner Service Award, the honor is presented annually by the SAAC in memory of Mark J. Paradiso, Class of 1983. It is bestowed upon a member of the Academy family who best exemplifies the traits of Mark, a Midshipman unequaled in his dedication and service to the USMMA Athletic Program.

1985 - Robert H. Holt

1986 - Thomas R. LeBlanc

1987 - Bill Omeltchenko

1988 - James Walsh

1989 - Capt. Richard Redfearn

1990 - Joseph DiBari

1991 - Thomas Meyer

1992 - Russell McVay

1993 - Colin Wiseley

1994 - Capt. James Ormiston

1995 - Capt. Doug Brown

1996 - Capt. Perry Walter

1997 - Peter Rackett '61

1998 - RADM Thomas Matteson

1999 - RADM Joseph D. Stewart

2000 - Chief Glenn Miller

2001 - Stacey Quinn

2002 - Kim McNulty

2003 - Prof. Mike Ales

2004 - Aaron Terranova

2005 - Melinda Eng, ATC

2006 - Craig Shouldice

2007 - Captain John Hagedorn

2008 - Melinda Eng, ATC

2009 - CDR Donald Wilburn

2010 - CAPT William Fell

2011 - Shawn Antonelli

2012 - Gregg Matalas
2013 - Ian Nisley

2014 - Shaun Ihasz

2015 - Angela Burroughs

2016 - William "Gerrit" Porter

2017 - Cindy Centanni

2018 - Jan Helis

George S. Zacharkow Award

The George S. Zacharkow Award (Class of 1947) is given in his memory to the Midshipman who displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and service to the Academy in athletics or other extracurricular activities and demonstrated a strong acumen and interest in marine insurance or admiralty law. The actual award shall be presented at the Awards Convocation ceremony preceding commencement.

1994 - John Volpe

1995 - Dana Jones

1996 - Elizabeth Monagan

1997 - Beau Schindler

1998 - Lew Provau

1999 - Matthew Mulvey

2000 - William -PJ- Margelis

2001 - Chris Lopez

2002 - David Van Duzee

2003 - Kevin Monaco

2004 - Chris Springer

2005 - Harlow Wood

2006 - Adam Rapacki & Jake Swanson

2007 - Marisa Olson

2008 - Matthew Ellison

2009 - Michael Budesa

2010 - Eric Vincent

2011 - Joshua Lee Noris
2012 - Joshua Reicks
2013 - Chris Scott

2014 - XX

2015 - Jeff Michaelson (Men's Lacrosse)

2016 - Grant Foley (Baseball)

2017 - Matthew Thomson (Baseball)

2018 - Pat Coll (Men's Lacrosse)

Captain Perry Walter Team Mentor Award

Established in 1999, this award is presented annually to the team mentor who best exemplifies the traits exhibited by Captain Perry Walter. Captain Walter was known for his guidance and dedication in academics, athletics, and regimental affairs for Midshipmen-Athletes.

1999 - CAPT Perry Walter

2000 - CAPT John Hagedorn

2001 - Chief Glenn Miller

2002 - Peter Rackett

2003 - Prof. Mike Ales

2004 - CDR Don Farmer

2005 - CAPT Joe Poliseno

2006 - Shani Lewins

2007 - Captain Richard Barry

2008 - CDR John Tuttle

2009 - CAPT Doug Brown

2010 - Professor Michael Ales

2011 - Joe Martucci

2012 - Pete Rackett
2013 - LT Commander Ian Jones

2014 - Victoria Schopflin (Women's Lacrosse)

2015 - Prof. Michael Ales (Football)

2016 - Kevin Hasson (Baseball)

2017 - Chaplain Jerry Durham (Baseball)

2018 - CDR Paul Acquaro (Women's Basketball)

Andrew E. Gibson Award

The Andrew E. Gibson Award is presented annually to the outstanding offensive football player. The trophy was donated by Mr. Andrew Gibson. Gibson maintained many credentials including, former Ship Master, senior executive with the Grace Line, Maritime Administrator and Assistant Secretary of Commerce, President of Delta Line, and most recently as a Professor at the Naval War College.

The Hanley-Neagele Award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive football player and outstanding wrestler. The honor is given in the memory of Midshipman Paul Hanley and Douglas Neagele, who participated in the two sports. This award is contributed by the Kings Point Maritime Association.

The Captain Dan Buckley Memorial Award is given to a basketball player who exemplifies Coach Buckley’s work ethic and dedication. The recipient also possesses the qualities of an exceptional leader who has strong character and has been a good teammate.

2004 - Josh Buck

2005 - Kaitlin Mulgrew

2006 - Paul Tricarico

2007 - Ashley Carlisle

2008 - Thomas Izzo

2009 - Karen Taylor

2010 - Brooke Picillo & Scott Rattigan

2011 - Matt Hueber

2012 - Alicen Heinrich
2013 - Zach Karczewski

2014 - Zach Karczewski

2015 - Demi VanDerWal

2016 - Preston Padgett

2017 - Kelsey Hofmann

2018 - George Hatzioannides

Robert G. Domini Memorial Award

Established in 2008, the Robert G. Domini Memorial Award will be presented annually to the Midshipman who received at least three letters in the sport of either men’s or women’s basketball, men’s or women’s lacrosse (if added), baseball or softball and who best exemplifies the traits of Robert Domini, Class of 1954. While not being the most athletically gifted athlete on his teams, Domini was known for being a team leader through drive, determination and hard work. He was also known for being a fierce and intelligent competitor who rose to a far higher level than expected through talent alone, and lived by the motto "Acta Non Verba."

Established in 2002-03, this award in presented in the memory of Second Lieutenant Kenneth Graff, Class of 2001, who passed away in the fall of 2003, while in attendance at the Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola, Florida. The Graff Award is presented annually to a member of the Soccer Team and a member of the Baseball Team. The recipients of this award exemplify the same characteristics of fierce competitiveness, regimental honor and integrity, and family pride that Kenneth consistently exhibited during his time as a Midshipman at the Academy.

This award is presented in the memory of Steven Wickboldt, Class of 1979, and is presented to a member of the Track & Field Team who exemplifies the same traits of dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship which Stevens displaying as Midshipman at the Academy.

The Charles C. Rackett Memorial Award is presented to the Most Valuable Oarsman on the USMMA crew team who contributed the most to the success of the team through steadfast dedication, outstanding performance and superior leadership.